For a bold effect, select a countertop in a lively color. While some of the top choices include yellows, oranges and lime green, the choice of white or black countertops can be as bold a color choice as yellow, depending on the kitchen.

Brick one way to warm up a kitchen, whether left as is or painted to match the rest of the design scheme. Like stone, brick can be harder to clean, but can be maintained pretty easily if sealed properly and cleaned on a regular basis.

In the past, tin was an incredibly expensive material. It was viewed as a sign of wealth for anyone who was able to incorporate it into their home designs — think about the revered tin ceilings found in restored buildings. These days, faux tin sheets are easy to obtain and offer the same look at a fraction of the price. This is also a great choice to replace tile as the texture of the tin finish will make any grout lines disappear.